Letters / Air service dismay
I have listened with growing dismay to the problems, which are besetting the air services to Foula, Fair Isle and Skerries.
I was employed at Unst and Tingwall airports during the late 80s and early 90s.
Islander aircraft are designed to do the job, which is required of them but the most important component of that job is flexibility.
Passengers are only a component so I cannot see how a service can be “downgraded” to a finite figure.
The aircraft is loaded on weight and centre of gravity.
I recognise that the main use of flights is to move passengers, but passengers and their luggage should be weighed. There also on some occasions could be freight.
The figures then should be given to the pilot who will have an unladen weight for the individual aircraft and will make the appropriate decision when the figures are worked out.
Aircraft all vary in unladen weight but working out the payload is not rocket science and I suggest that Mr Craigie leaves it to the captain of the aircraft to decide how best to serve our outer isles.
The air service is of paramount importance to all our islands and the misinterpretation of bureaucracy in order to be felt important should be severely discouraged.
I would have had less trouble with this had it come from an aviation spokesman and not a council official.
I wish the folk in Skerries, Fair Isle and Foula a satisfactory air service for many years to come.
Joan Easten
27Hamarsgarth
Mossbank
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